Adore Home magazine - Life in Colour edition / Winter 2023 by Adore Home magazine

HOME MAGAZINE

RETRO

ROAD TRIP

LAUNDRY

DESIGNS

beautiful and practical designs to inspire

life* in colour EDITION

three homes that pack a colourful punch

ISSN 2204-1079 9 772204 107007 WINTER 2023 AUS $13.95 INC GST

Weave

Floral Interiors

Canvas + Sasson

Coast to Coast

reedgiftfairs.com.au

Reed Gift Fairs Melbourne is the #1 sourcing destination for those who are serious about retail.

HOME •• GIFT GIFT •• FASHION FASHION •• KIDS KIDS •• BEAUTY BEAUTY && WELLBEING WELLNESS HOME Reed Gift Fairs is the best place for designers and stylists to ﬁnd inspiration and new season trends; and retail buyers can source the largest variety of leading and emerging wholesale brands anywhere in Australia - discover thousands of premium products all under one roof.

Australia's online tile store. tilecloud.com.au

CREDITS Publisher Adore Home Magazine Editor-in-chief, designer and product editor Loni Parker loni@adoremagazine.com Sub-editor Casey Hutton caseyhutton.com Writers Casey Hutton caseyhutton.com

Nichola Davies nicholadavies.com Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer rebeccajamiesondwyer.com Product/content sourcing assistant Kate Moss kate@adoremagazine.com Photographers Albert Comper albertcomper.com Annette O’Brien annetteobrien.com.au Coast Park Creative coastparkcreative.com Jessie Prince thequarteracre.co Joel Noon joelnoon.com.au Kristian Van Der Beek kristianbeek.com Mindi Cooke @mindicooke Rebecca Lu rebeccalu.com.au Red Berry Photography southcoastphotographer.com.au Sebastian Photography sebastianphotography.com.au Shaw Photography shawphotography.com.au The Palm Co thepalmco.com.au Stylists Amber Lenette Contact Adore Home Magazine 16 Higlett St, Scarborough QLD 4020 info@adoremagazine.com www.adoremagazine.com Social like us on facebook.com/adorehomemagazine find us on instagram @adoremagazine

contents 11

KITCHEN NEWS

BATHROOM NEWS

39 HOME TOURS

COLOURFUL BATHROOMS

EDITOR’S LETTER

WHAT’S NEW

Learn how to successfully inject colour into your bathroom’s design.

PRODUCT TRENDS

22 SCHOOL PROFILE 24 LAUNDRY DESIGNS Whether you’re about to renovate or build your dream laundry, here are

Views expressed by the author are not necessarily that of the publisher. Whilst all care is taken in the preparation of this publication, the publisher accepts no responsibility for any errors and/or omissions. © Copyright Adore Home Magazine 2023. Copyright of articles and photographs in Adore Home Magazine remain with the individual contributors and may not be reproduced without permission.

nine beautiful and practical designs to inspire you.

ISSN 2204-1079

THE LAUNDRY EDIT We visit three homes that pack a colourful punch – from subtle shades and playful pastels to retro-styled greens.

82 RETRO ROAD TRIP Craving a road trip adventure? We check into six retro stays, each renovated with a distinct nostalgic twist. adore home

EDITOR’S LETTER

before

shop the look

PHOTOGRAPHY COAST PARK CREATIVE

Custom made bedhead clad in ‘Demi Round 40’ from Surround By Laminex and painted in ‘Dawn Patrol’ from Tint; white walls painted in ‘So Fresh and So Clean by Tint; linen from Sheet Society; bed and bedside tables from Life Interiors; curtains from Tuiss Blinds Online; lamp from Beacon; artworks from Greenhouse Interiors.

EDITOR’S LETTER Adore has long been a lover of colour. When I first started this magazine, bright and colourful homes were all I featured. But I’ll admit that over the years it’s become much more neutral. That’s mainly because of trends leaning towards a white-and-timber palette, which has made it more difficult to find colourful homes! As much as I love the neutral look, something in me has been yearning for more colour. In my own home, the guest bedroom was my opportunity to be a little more daring, and I have to say, it’s now probably my favourite room in the house. I had a bedhead custommade by my builder, and I painted it a gorgeous soft peach, then added a splash of colour in the bedside tables, linen and art. It’s got me hooked; wait until you 4

adore home

see my studio space! This issue’s theme is ‘Life in Colour’. If you’re afraid of colour, take inspiration from the three homes featured in this issue. They each have a neutral base but are styled using layers of colour, which is a great place to start when entering uncharted territory. We’ve also included a special feature on colourful bathrooms, with tips from the homeowners and designers. And if it’s a laundry makeover you’re planning, you’ll want to check out our laundries feature – it’s packed with great ideas to consider for your own space. Until next time...

- LONI PARKER, EDITOR

PHOTOGRAPHY COASTPARK CREATIVE

HOW WOULD YOU USE A B A C K YA R D C A B I N ?

create my dream salon “From the moment I came across SheShed cabins I knew it was the perfect option for me and my dream salon. The white cottage with French doors had me sold. I chose the cabana kit set so I could nicely fit two salon chairs, reception counter, cabinetry and a lay down massage basin chair offering my clients the ultimate, bespoke experience. Everyone absolutely loves my gorgeous salon.” – Lisa, Waves Hair Salon

SheShedz

Call 1800 879 152

www.sheshedcabins.com

Scan the QR code to see more great customer projects in our Inspiration Gallery.

Timeless Appeal

The Robert Gordon Interiors collection contains timeless pieces, each handmade in Australia by skilled craftspeople. The ceramic ‘Bowl’ wall sconce light is compact in size and ideal for intimate spaces like bathrooms. Available in eleven unique glazes and priced at $425. Also pictured is the elegant ‘Clay 340’ ceramic basin – available in seven glazes and priced at $725.

PHOTOGRAPHY JARROD BARNES / STYLING HANNAH GORDON

robertgordoninteriors.com

WHAT’S

NEW

The latest in homewares, interior trends and bathroom products.

adore home

WHAT ’ S NEW

Colourful Cora

Paola And Joy’s sell-out ‘Cora’ table lamp has now launched in four new colourways – tranquil blue and white, tropical peach and purple, lilac and pastel green (pictured left), and rouge and mustard. Priced at $199. paolaandjoy.com.au

M O C K A’S N E W ‘C A N YO N’ R A N G E F E AT U R E S O N -T R E N D A R C H E D R AT TA N D E TA I L S AND A WOODGRAIN-LOOK FINISH, ADDING A TOUCH O F N AT U R A L B E AU T Y T O A BEDROOM OR LIVING AREA. T H E C O L L E C T I O N F E AT U R E S A C A B I N E T, B E D S I D E TA B L E , E N T E R TA I N M E N T U N I T, C H E S T O F D R AW E R S, A N D BUFFET (PICTURED) PRICED AT $ 41 9. 9 5 . MOCKA.COM.AU

prod uct NEWS

SWEET TIMES Contemporary artist Prudence Demarchi has reproduced her original artwork, ‘Sweet Times’, and is selling prints exclusively through Norsu Interiors. The work is available in four sizes priced from $99 (A3 size on paper) with the option of framing. Larger sizes are available on canvas. norsu.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY STEPHANIE ROONEY

XO Garden Accessories have added pistachio and nude coloured hose and hangers to their range. The lightweight and kink resistant design makes them easy to manoeuvre, while the durable construction ensures long-lasting use. Priced at $99 (nozzle and connectors not included). xogardenaccessories.com.au 8

adore home

INJECT COLOUR INTO YOUR HOME WITH B O N N I E A N D N E I L’ S N E W ‘WAV E A Z U R E S P E C K L E ’ S I D E TA B L E S . MADE FROM A MOULDED S TO N E WA R E BAS E W I T H A PAINTED GLAZE AND THEN SEALED, IT’S AVA I L A B L E I N N I N E GLORIOUS COLOURS A N D P R I C E D AT $ 3 9 5 . BONNIEANDNEIL.COM.AU

NEW

KITCHEN MADE TO ORDER DOORS

Timber furniture designed & built in Australia

Bring Donna Guyler Design’s signature coastal style into your home with a collection of meticulously curated furniture and decor pieces

www.palmandoak.com.au

Robert Gordon ‘Poet’s Dream’ water jug in cashmere $64.95

Handmade doors

KITCHEN NEWS

LEVEL UP YOUR KITCHEN, L AU N D RY O R WA R D RO B E WITH LOUGHLIN FURNITURE’S NEW RANGE OF HANDMADE TIMBER JOINERY DOORS. WITH SEVEN PROFILES AVA I L A B L E, YO U C A N C R E AT E A S PAC E T H AT ’ S T R U LY Y O U R S . LOUGHLINFURNITURE.COM.AU

‘Keiko’ vase $280 mercimaison.com

NICE JUGS

Ladelle sage terra jug $34.95 templeandwebster.com.au

kit chen NEWS

The latest hardware designs from The Society inc. are mid-century-inspired pieces that pair materials such as leather and cane with brass and blackened iron. The ‘Pimlico’, ‘Vienna’, ‘1954’ and ‘London’ drawer pulls (pictured) are made from woven cane and brass and are priced from $50. thesocietyinc.com.au

FA R M H O U S E FEELS Equally at home in a modern farmhouse setting as it is in an industrial warehouse, Phoenix’s new ‘Cromford’ collection pays homage to the hardworking innovations of the past. The collection includes pared-back designs in tapware, showers and accessories.

}

phoenixtapware.com.au

Eva Solo’s new ‘Green tools’ series consists of functional and sustainable utensils for the kitchen. Pictured: microwave rice steamer priced at $110, and herb chopper priced at $59.95. shop.until.au

adore home

BATHROOM NEWS

AT E L I S BASINS ABI Interiors’ new ‘Atelis’ collection of concrete basins is available in three colourways – almond (pictured), matte white and grey – and delivers a modern-industrial aesthetic. Priced at $519.90. abiinteriors.com.au

INTRODUCING ADP’S NEW ‘BRONTE’ F R E E S TA N D I N G B AT H W I T H F L U T E D D E TA I L I N G . T H E F L AT R I M D E S I G N AND BOTTOM SHADOW LINE ALLOWS FO R E ASY C L E A N I N G. AVA I L A B L E I N T WO S I Z E S I N G L O S S O R M AT T E WHITE, IT’S PRICED FROM $1,999. ADPAUSTRALIA.COM.AU

checkmate

Refresh your bathroom with Kip&Co’s range of plush terry towels and bath robes. They’re made from OEKO-TEX certified 100% cotton with a checkerboard pattern in pink, green or yellow. Bath robes priced from $149. kipandco.com.au

‘West Coast’ tiles $220/m2 perini.com.au

bathroom

NEWS

BONNIE AND NEIL’S NEW ‘WAVE’ BATH MATS ARE THE PERFECT PLAYFUL ADDITION TO YOUR BATHROOM. MADE FROM 100% TUFTED COTTON, THEY’RE SOFT UNDERFOOT AND ALSO ABSORBENT. PRICED AT $92. bonnieandneil.com.au

Adairs ‘Mimosa’ bath towel in earth $44.99 adairs.com.au

CORAL CRUSH

4 checkerboard pink and white toiletry 3 Kip&Co case $99 kipandco.com.au

ABI Interiors ‘Elysian’ mixer in clay $349.90 abiinteriors.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHY MARTINA GEMMOLA / STYLING NAT TURNBULL

adore home

Bathed in

COLOUR Learn how to successfully inject colour into your bathroom’s design.

s p i t er n g i s e D *

COLOURFUL BATHROOMS

INTERIOR DESIGNER RACHAEL MIKLAS SHARES ADVICE ON W O R K I N G C O N F I D E N T LY W I T H COLOUR IN A BATHROOM.

CHOOSE A NEUTRAL BASE “Embrace a bold colour but choose one neutral as a base. A crisp white can offer a neutral contrast on walls or as a vanity finish.”

Shop it

Cole And Son ‘Palm Leaves’ wallpaper $297 per roll thefabriceditors.com.au

RULE OF THREE

INTERIOR DESIGN RACHAEL MIKLAS DESIGN + DETAIL / CONSTRUCTION GREENSTONE HOMES / PHOTOGRAPHY SHAW PHOTOGRAPHY

“There is a rule of three that can help you execute a bathroom colour scheme effectively. When you pick a colour, use it at least three times in a room. An even distribution of colours makes each placement look intentional.”

GO BOLD “Our client always dreamt of a pink bathroom. This brief allowed us to go bold, and the palmprint wallpaper was the perfect starting point. We then repeated the pink in the terrazzo floor tiles, the vertical feature wall tiles, and the basin. Full commitment to the brief resulted in a lush, hotel-like space that is beautifully unique to the client’s home.”

adore home

Vanities | Basins | Baths | Mirrors | Tapware + More www.adpaustralia.com.au

Daydream Bath in Matte White, Bloom Tapware in Light Brushed Brass Bathroom design by HAAUS.

adore home

COLOURFUL BATHROOMS

* tips Careful colour

INTERIOR DESIGNER NAOMI MCLEAN OF M. J. HARRIS GROUP SHARES HER THOUGHTS ON WORKING WITH A RESTRAINED CO LO U R PA L E T T E .

U S E I N M O D E R AT I O N “Although bold colours can be visually appealing, using them excessively can have an overwhelming effect. To avoid this, it’s best to incorporate colour in a limited way, such as through an accent wall, as demonstrated in this ensuite.”

DESIGN AND BUILD M.J. HARRIS GROUP / INTERIOR DESIGN NAOMI MCLEAN / PHOTOGRAPHY JOEL NOON

PAIR WITH NEUTRALS “Combining bold colours with neutral tones – such as white, grey or beige – can create a harmonious visual balance. This allows the vibrancy of the bold colour to stand out as intended, while maintaining a cohesive look overall.”

C H O O S E C O L O U R W I S E LY “Careful consideration of feature colours is crucial, as they can significantly affect the mood and atmosphere of a space. Cool tones are ideal for promoting tranquillity, while warmer hues add vibrancy and energy. The size of the room should also be taken into account, as lighter colours can make a small bathroom appear more spacious, while darker shades create a more intimate ambience.”

Shop it

TileCloud ‘Newport’ gloss subway tile in Jade Green $83/m2 tilecloud.com.au

adore home

COLOURFUL BATHROOMS

Colour

* tips for renos

FIRST-TIME RENOVATORS R A C H E L A N D PAT R I C K SERISIER SHARE THEIR TIPS ON EMBRACING COLOUR IN A BATHROOM RENOVATION.

LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS “We’re first home buyers, and our bathroom was our first-ever renovation project. We had zero experience designing a bathroom, so it was really helpful to lean on our suppliers for their professional advice. The tiles we chose from Academy Tiles came in several shades, and they recommended we order a few different colours and move them around the room throughout the day as the natural light changes. This was a great tip, and we’d recommend sampling a few different tile colours, shapes and sizes – you might be surprised with what you eventually end up choosing.”

Pictured: ADP ‘Glacier’ vanity in Tasmanian Oak

“A beautiful bathroom isn’t just about how it looks but also how it makes you feel. It sounds clichéd but it’s so true. We stayed at The Calile Hotel in Brisbane on the night of our wedding and immediately fell in love with the luxurious blushpink bathroom during our stay. It felt so peaceful and inviting. When we purchased our first home last year, we just knew that we had to incorporate colour into our new bathroom. Blush tones bring a sense of warmth and calmness, and this is exactly how we wanted to feel when we stepped into our bathroom each day. So, pick a colour you love – especially one that makes you feel something.”

G O W I T H W H AT YO U LO V E ABI Interiors ‘Elysian’ minimal mixer and spout set in brushed brass $294.80 abiinteriors.com.au

SHOP THE LOOK Nagoya Mosaic-Tile Co ‘Pasture’ POA academytiles.com.au 18

adore home

Middle of Nowhere ‘Bjorn’ arch mirror (55 x 85cm) $343 lifeinteriors.com.au

Leif ‘Boronia’ hand balm $25 leifproducts.com

“All things age with time, especially bathrooms. Even the most timeless or ‘safe’ designs eventually need a revamp. So, if you’re worried about whether you should stick with neutrals or go all-out with colour, all that matters is that you love it. When both function and design align with your lifestyle, personality and preferences (not somebody else’s), you truly reach renovation enlightenment!”

PHOTOGRAPHY RACHEL SERISIER / INTERIOR DESIGN RACHEL AND PATRICK SERISIER

PICK A COLOUR T H AT E V O K E S F E E L I N G

CO LO U R T I P S F O R B AT H R O O M S - Plan and create a moodboard - Choose a colour palette which will be coherent with the rest of your house, or with the atmosphere you would like to create. - Decide where you would like to add a splash of colour. It could be your basin, vanity, feature tiles, walls or towels. - Don’t be scared of colours – sometimes neutrals can look too plain.

Visit the Just in Place showroom, where you’ll find endless inspiration and all the fittings you need to create your own one-of-a-kind bathroom. UNIT 14, 25 NARABANG WAY, BELROSE NSW

www.justinplace.com.au

ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL YOUR BATHROOM DREAMS @justinplace_sydney

PRODUCT TRENDS

COLOUR PALETTE

MIAMI

WALL PANELLING Surround By Laminex ‘Demi Round 40’ wall panel from $196.68 per 1m laminex.com.au / LAMP Paola and Joy ‘Cora’ table lamp in tranquil blue and white $199 paolaandjoy.com.au / POOL LILO Sunnylife tube lilo in white $89.99 sunnylife.com.au / VASE Middle of Nowhere ‘Kurve’ vase in pink (small) $55 middleofnowhere.com.au / PLANTER Lightly ‘Tone’ planter in lilac and sorrel $142 lightly.com.au / PHOTOGRAPHIC ART ‘Dialogue 10’ by Matthieu Venot from 400€ artistics.com / CUSHION L&M Home ‘Wiggle’ cushion in goldie $147 lmhome.com.au / SIDE TABLE ‘Good Vibes’ side table $350 fentonandfenton.com.au / RUG Design by Them ‘Overlay’ circle rug in mustard $2,450 designbythem.com / CARAFE Fazeek ‘Vice Versa’ carafe in pink and green $149 fazeek.com.au / ARMCHAIR Fenton & Fenton ‘Betsy’ armchair in palm green velvet $3,480 fentonandfenton.com.au adore home

SCHOOL PROFILE / ADVERTORIAL Contact Sydney Design School (RTO 91446) for more information on the Certificate IV in Design (Styling and Creative Direction) CUA40720.

sydneydesignschool.com.au @sydneydesignschool

LEARN TO

STYLE

Sydney Design School has launched a one-of-a-kind online professional styling course to equip creatives with the skills and qualifications to be all-rounders in the styling industry.

The Certificate IV in Design (Styling and Creative Direction) has been designed for today’s industry, where stylists are often freelancers and require a broad skillset to pivot from editorial to weddings, events, food or interiors. The course also focuses on delivering the creative business skills required to thrive in a competitive industry, ensuring students are equipped with the foundation skills to feel confident in starting their own business. To develop this cutting-edge course, Sydney Design School worked closely with four leading creative stylists: interiors, food and editorial stylist Jono Fleming (@jono.fleming), wedding and events stylist Dani Dean (@themakehaus_), event stylist Lynleigh McPherson (@theconnectedcurator), and interior and property stylist Debbie Cohen (@thestylechapterco). Sydney Design School Director Amanda Grace says the school hand-picks its course developers and educators from the industry to ensure it delivers a highly relevant, personal and inspiring experience. “This qualification is designed to offer agility in the industry,” says Amanda. “It gives graduates the ability to pivot from one sector to another 22

adore home

based on demand – so you could be styling a home one week and the next be working on a wedding, product shoot or cookbook.” In keeping with the real-word application of the course, the Certificate IV in Design (Styling and Creative Direction) is offered through Sydney Design School’s online school, Interior Design Online, to allow creatives the flexibility of studying anytime, anywhere. Plus, with no set term dates, students can enrol and start when they’re ready, and pay per unit. “In each unit you’ll learn through our online resources and videos before completing a series of practical styling exercises and a real client brief,” says Amanda. “Our educators are on hand

throughout your course to provide support and detailed feedback. We believe in hands-on, practical learning delivered with plenty of personal support.” “This accredited qualification gives you the flexibility to learn at home but provides opportunities for inspiration and connection in our vibrant online community.” With a commitment of 10 hours of study per week, the course can be completed in one to two years, depending on students’ personal learning pace and preference. Creatives graduate with an ASQAaccredited and nationally recognised qualification from both Interior Design Online and Sydney Design School.

Stylish rugs that warm up your room

@missamaraloves

missamara.com.au

Pictured: Ivry Geometric Wool Shag Rug Styled and Photographed by Margaux Follis / @thefrenchfolk

LAUNDRY DESIGNS

9 laundry

DESIGNS

INTERIOR DESIGN + PHOTOGRAPHY CINDY MEAD, @RENO.DIARY

Whether you’re about to renovate or build your dream laundry, here are nine beautiful and practical designs to inspire you.

adore home

1 . S PAC E S AVE R Seasoned renovators Cindy and Dan Mead transformed their old laundry (complete with peeling melamine benchtops and dated terracotta tiles) into a practical washroom with a whole lot of space-saving features. The couple needed to think creatively to utilise every inch of the 1.8 x 3m room. “Previously, the laundry had a U-shaped layout that didn’t capitalise on the space,” recalls Cindy. “We worked with The Blue Space to install a modular laundry by ADP and changed the layout to an L-shape.” “Some of the smart features we included are floorto-ceiling cupboards and drawers, a built-in laundry hamper, a built-in ironing board, and – my favourite – the extendable ceiling-mounted and remote-controlled electric clothesline,” Cindy says. “We also added a gas strut window, which opens out onto our outdoor kitchen.”

BUILDING WORKS JIC PROJECTS / PHOTOGRAPHY MINDI COOKE INTERIOR DESIGN DONNA GUYLER DESIGN

Inspired by Three Birds Renovations, Cindy and Dan decided to install the washer and dryer off the floor. “We raised them up to eye level to work in with our cabinetry. It is so nice not having to bend down to load the washer and dryer; we don’t think we could ever go back to a washer and dryer on the floor again. They both sit on 20mm stone rather than sitting directly on the cabinetry, so there is a bit of extra reinforcement underneath them.”

2. DEFINED ZONES This contemporary coastal-style laundry, by interior designer Donna Guyler, takes advantage of the long narrow space by creating two different zones. “Stacking the washing machine and dryer and moving the linen and broom cupboards to the centre of this laundry breaks up the long run of cabinetry and provides two zones in here for washing and folding,” says Donna. “By placing these tall cabinets in the centre of the room, the cabinetry doesn’t feel too overwhelming when you enter the space, given how narrow the room is.” Whereas previously the laundry was cramped and outdated, now Donna describes it as a room you actually want to spend time in. The space has been made to feel more inviting, thanks to layers of texture found in the wallpaper, Roman blinds, and VJ panels. adore home

3 . R E L AXE D CO A STA L Coco Tully of Cote Interiors was tasked with turning this laundry into a functional space with plenty of storage. The brief was to create a fresh, quintessentially Australian coastal vibe.

INTERIOR DESIGN + STYLING COTE INTERIORS / BUILD CGB CARPENTRY / PHOTOGRAPHY THE PALM CO

“We reworked the layout of both the laundry and the adjacent bathroom to make both function much better. The home is near the beach and the husband is a surfer, so we kept access from the outside so they could walk in and hang wet rashies or pop into the adjoining bathroom to rinse off,” says Coco. The room measures 3.7 x 1.7m, giving the owners ample space to do laundry. Standout features include custom V-groove panelling on the joinery, rattan-wrapped handles, Spanish handmade subway tiles from Surface Gallery, and a custom designed Tasmanian oak shelf and hanging rail.

Shop it

The Society Inc ‘Lake’ drawer pull $30 thesocietyinc.com.au

adore home

4 . N ATU R A L LY G R E E N

“We designed this room as a little jewel box that sits next to the kitchen. There is a cavity slider across from the back run of cabinets, so when it is open you just see this lovely pop of green,” says Coco. This spacious room, which also doubles as a pantry, measures 2.7 x 3.2m and includes built-in hampers with ventilation, a ribbed glass window and bronze hardware.

adore home

INTERIOR DESIGN + STYLING COTE INTERIORS / BUILD + PROJECT MANAGEMENT SUNDAY HOMES / MARKETING & PRODUCTION WITH JELLY / PHOTOGRAPHY THE PALM CO

Coco Tully of Cote Interiors designed this clean-cut contemporary laundry around her client’s favourite colour. With nature as her reference, Coco enveloped the room in calming shades of green – from the slim Shaker-profile cabinets in Dulux ‘Tranquil Green’ to the sage-coloured Spanish handmade tiles from Surface Gallery.

LAUNDRY DESIGNS

5 . M U LT I - P U R P O S E CG Design Studio devised this multi-purpose laundry for a busy doctor and mum, who crafts and sews to unwind. “It was important to create a space that could cater to a multitude of uses,” explains Christopher Gyzemyter, Director and Head Designer of CG Design Studio. “A pull-up drying rack and Miele appliances make up the laundry zone, with a large bench in the centre that doubles as a cutting table and folding area. A built-in desk and storage area is home to the client’s sewing machine and supplies.” The generously sized space features soaring raked ceilings, which allowed for an overhead pulley drying rack in addition to the brass hanging rail. An upholstered bench seat with storage drawers below and hooks above is the perfect spot for school bags and shoes, so the laundry also functions as a mudroom.

INTERIOR DESIGN CG STUDIO / PHOTOGRAPHY MINDI COOKE

“The green tones of the wallpaper, picked up in the upholstered bench seat, create a sense of calm in what can often be a chaotic space for a family,” says Christopher.

combos

SINK + MIXER

hamptons

Mira brushed gunmetal pull out mixer $499 buildmat.com.au

Phoenix ‘Cromford’ exposed sink set in matte black $748 phoenixtapware.com.au

Fienza ‘Eleanor’ mixer $540 restorationonline.com.au

ABI Interiors ‘Henley’ single fluted farmhouse sink $734.90 abiinteriors.com.au

Buildmat ‘Maya’ sink in brushed gunmetal (380x450mm) $509 buildmat.com.au

contemporary

farmhouse Farmhouse concrete sink $789 schots.com.au adore home

“Bifold doors were used to conceal the laundry, along with a push-to-open door to conceal the ironing board.” - NAZ IRANI

6 . CO M PA C T E U R O P E A N This contemporary European-style laundry sits adjacent to the kitchen, cleverly concealed by bifold doors. “This was a renovation project, with the aim to replace an old and tired kitchen with a brighter, bigger and more functional space for our clients to enjoy,” says interior designer Naz Irani of Naz Design. “We achieved this by combining the existing storage/laundry space with the kitchen and designing a fully functional laundry wall instead.” “This compact laundry wall is full of surprises. We were able to add a washing machine, dryer and sink with adequate bench space. On the side of the laundry wall, we added the Robinhood ironing board from Bunnings. And, as our clients love entertaining, there are built-in speakers behind the bifold doors.”

adore home

INTERIOR DESIGN + STYLING NAZ DESIGN / PHOTOGRAPHY SEBASTIAN PHOTOGRAPHY / JOINERY SKB SYDNEY

LAUNDRY DESIGNS

Pacific Baxter Vanity 1500 in American Oak

Timber furniture designed & built in Australia

DESIGN & ALL FITTINGS JUST IN PLACE / BUILD RENOVATION A / PHOTOGRAPHY REBECCA LU

7. CO M B I N E D B AT H R O O M When space doesn’t allow for a separate laundry and bathroom, combining the two wet rooms makes sense. This long narrow guest bathroom/laundry (pictured right), measuring 1.45m x 4.02m, made the most of the space by running all the plumbing on one side, creating a clear path to walk from one end of the room to the other. “There wasn’t enough space for a separate laundry and bathroom. Combining the two rooms also saved on waterproofing and plumbing costs,” explains interior designer Leah Peretz of Just In Place. The design is consistent with the main bathroom on the same floor. “We followed the colour of the green feature tiles and timber accents between the spaces to make them feel cohesive,” says Leah. The feature tiles also help to define the bathroom space from the laundry. adore home

Shop the look

“For functionality, the two laundry hamper drawers either side of the sink are a gamechanger when you’ve got a baby!” - N AT S PA DAVE CC H I A

adore home

IMAGE THIS PAGE AND OPPOSITE LEFT: PHOTOGRAPHY THE PALM CO

‘Cascade’ tapware in ‘Antique Brass Light’ from Faucet Strommen; ‘Chateau Blanc’ floor tiles from Di Lorenzo; ‘Elba White’ benchtop and splashback from Talostone.

LAUNDRY DESIGNS

Photographer Nat Spadavecchia of The Palm Co. converted a cupboard into a laundry by tweaking the home’s overall floor plan. “When we reworked the layout, we were able to include the extra storage, as well as a sink and two large laundry hampers, so that it’s now a proper functional laundry,” says Nat. “We also have a hidden stacked washer and dryer, so the space remains neat but functional.” “Our house is a 1920s cottage, so for the interiors I did a mix of traditional and Japandi throughout, but the laundry is more on the traditional cottage-style side.” Nat searched high and low for the perfect khaki green and jokes that she looked at just about every shade before settling on Taubmans ‘Breakaway’ for the cabinetry and wall.

PHOTOGRAPHY THE PALM CO BUILD SUNDAY HOMES

8 . COT TA G E - S T YL E

9. M O D E R N M I N I M A L I S T This contemporary laundry belonging to a busy family features a monochromatic colour palette and plenty of storage. The room, built by Sunday Homes, includes a heated wall with fixed drying racks. “We’ve done many heated floors before, but this laundry was big enough to dedicate a wall to drying space, so a heated vertical surface was included,” says Amy Thackaray, founder of Sunday Homes. Polytec ‘Prime Oak’ cabinetry in a ribbed profile was added to warm up the greyand-white colour scheme.

STORAGE

options

Mustard ‘The Baskets’ in olive (set of 3) $69 mustardmade.com

Wicka ‘Hillbrook’ seagrass utility basket from $24.95 templeandwebster.com.au

Adairs natural gingham storage bag (large) $34.99 adairs.com.au

adore home

Beautiful everyday tapware

yabby.com.au

THE LAUNDRY EDIT Tile Cloud ‘Northbridge’ butter terracotta look subway tile $83/m2 tilecloud.com.au

Little Storage Co large wooden scoop $6.99 littlelabelco.com Milkcan eco pegs in gold (pack of 25) $19.50 milkcan.com.au

Glass jar with bamboo and twine lid (2L) $20.95 and custom label from $2.50 littlelabelco.com

Bondi Wash laundry wash $25 bondiwash.com.au

THE

Ferm Living ‘Up Step’ stool in cashmere $319 arrivalhall.com.au

LAUNDRY Edit

IKEA ‘Nereby’ rail in birch $8 ikea.com.au

Greg Natale ‘Sweet Dreams’ bowl in butter $240 gregnatale.com

Laundry storage tub clear small $10.95 blissfullittlehome.com.au

IKEA ‘Enhet’ laundry bag with castors in white $89 ikea.com.au

Yabby pullout kitchen mixer in brushed brass $544 yabby.com.au

E XP E R T T I P S FROM LAMINEX

SHOP THE LOOK Benchtop in Laminex Terrazzino Perlato, cabinetry in Laminex Pale Honey and door in Laminex French Cream. RRP from $138.93/m2 laminex.com.au

Buildmat ‘Jeeves’ brushed brass sink (300x450mm) buildmat.com.au

Consider how you like to work in the laundry

• Ensure the overhead cupboards are reachable and incorporate a drying rail if you can.

• Consider a step ladder to reach tall cabinetry and upper shelves. Make it a part of the design aesthetic.

• Drawers below your bench are practical but more expensive than cupboards. Think about how you will use them and assess your budget.

• Don’t forget the little things. Hand-towel rails near the sink, power near the ironing board and even a feature light can elevate the space and make using your laundry a more pleasant experience.

HAY laundry basket small in soft yellow $59 arrivalhall.com.au adore home

w w w . t h e b r e e z e b l o c k c o m p a n y . c o m

DESIGNER CEMENT

A R T I S A N

C O N C R E T E

@ t h e b r e e z e b l o c k c o

T I L E S

HOME

TOURS

INTERIOR DESIGN THE GRACE COLLECTIVE / PHOTOGRAPHY ANNETTE O’BRIEN / PHOTOSHOOT STYLING AMBER LENETTE

We visit three homes that pack a colourful punch – from subtle shades and playful pastels to retro-styled greens.

adore home

HOME TOUR

urated cCHARM

Beyond the blackened timber exterior of this Mornington Peninsula home lies a light-filled sanctuary that’s a study in restrained colour and curated continuity.

INTERIOR DESIGN THE GRACE COLLECTIVE / PHOTOGRAPHY ANNETTE O’BRIEN PHOTOSHOOT STYLING AMBER LENETTE / WORDS CASEY HUTTON

adore home

L O U N G E R O O M Armchair, sofa, rug, coffee tables, vase and framed artworks from Mynd Interiors; 3D wall art by Michele Luminato; cushions from Jardan.

adore home

HOME TOUR

Much like the Mornington Peninsula’s native melaleuca trees – from the Greek words melas (black) and leukos (white) – whose pale papery bark remains charred after fires, the dark facade of Sarah and Beau Muston’s home masks its light interior. “We wanted a black house as soon as we purchased the land,” recalls Sarah. The block’s established greenery was the main reason they chose it, she explains, and a charred timber-clad home would offset the colour of the lush foliage.

clothing boutique Mirror Mirror. She and Beau had built before and were confident when it came to envisioning this home: “We designed every detail, including the entire floor plan.” Natural light and colour were crucial elements in the home’s design. “For me, colour evokes happiness and joy, so to be surrounded by it every day really elevates your mood,” Sarah reflects.

Beyond the home’s outer shell, though, the contrast is immediate. High ceilings, generous skylights, gleaming polished concrete floors, white walls, and soothing layers of colour create the atmosphere of an inner sanctum.

The home’s approach to colour is restrained and carefully considered. Dusty pastels and earthy hues are introduced sparingly but with great effect via floral arrangements, artworks, ceramics and textiles. “We really wanted to create a crisp yet textural home, mix cool tones with warm tones, and introduce sharp lines against soft curves,” she says.

“Our aim was to make it our own unique aesthetic, while remaining cohesive to create a soft flow throughout our home,” says Sarah, who is the founder of homewares store Mynd Interiors and

The result is a layered and tactile space, in which all elements exist in a calming equilibrium. Sarah’s decor, florals and soft furnishings are often chosen in response to cherished artworks. >

D I N I N G A gallery wall of original art by Prudence DeMarchi adds colour to the monochromatic space. Dining table, chairs and artwork from Mynd Interiors.

adore home

at a glance

LIGHT SANCTUARY This expansive home on the Mornington Peninsula has been built over three descending levels and incorporates soft pops of colour against a monochromatic palette.

505m2

3.5

adore home

HOME TOUR

P L AY W I T H S C A L E

* p i t s ’ h Sara s for artwork

“Change up the sizes of the artwork throughout your home – large-scale, medium-sized and minis – as well as framing colours.”

MIX IT UP

LO V E W H AT YO U C H O O S E

“A mixture of canvas paintings, paper prints and mixed media pieces will create the most interest and personality within your home.”

“Always go with your heart when selecting artwork. Let your artwork tell a story about all the things you love in life!”

K I T C H E N Bar stools from DesignByThem; tapware from ABI Interiors; natural stone in ‘Super White’; tiles from Academy Tiles; wall lights from Volker Haug Studio; artwork by Ally Siejka.

adore home

HOME TOUR

“Most times I will wait to start styling a room until I find an artwork that I fall in love with.” Likewise, the choice of finishes in each room is carefully balanced against the whole. “It was important to me that each space needed to flow into the next,” Sarah explains. “I subtly changed up the tile composition in each bathroom while using the same tiles or, alternatively, selected the same tile in a different shape or size for the next space.” Likewise, the profile of white tapware throughout the home is consistent, but slight variations in design work to differentiate spaces. Built over three descending levels, the home unfurls beautifully into an airy living and kitchen zone. Floorto-ceiling glass runs the length of the room, opening up seamlessly to an outdoor area and pool surrounded by mature trees. This generous living space is the heart of the home for Sarah, Beau and their three young children, while a media room on the middle level – cleverly lit with clerestory windows – is where they barrack for their favourite sports teams. >

L I V I N G R O O M “I love our kitchen, living and dining area,” says Sarah. “The outlook is so beautiful – surrounded by many mature trees. The large glass doors and windows allow so much light into the space, which is beneficial in the cooler months.” Sofa, rug, coffee tables and cushions from Mynd Interiors. Pictured opposite: artwork by Jai Vasicek; custom-made buffet from Mynd Interiors.

adore home

HOME TOUR

Sarah explains that the floor plan was designed not only for how their family lives now, but also in terms of how they’ll use the spaces in years to come. “This included multiple inside and outside living zones, considering space and privacy so everyone in the family is able to have their friends visit simultaneously and enjoy our home comfortably together.”

Sarah’s favourite spot to retreat to is the luxurious freestanding bath in their ensuite. “It’s positioned in front of a large window in the treetops – a very Zen escape from our busy day-to-day life.”

myndinteriors.com @charred_peninsula_charm

M A I N B E D R O O M Artwork by Natalie Jane; custom-made bedhead, bench seat, side table and linen from Mynd Interiors; cushions from Bonnie and Neil; throw from Adairs; wall sconces from Anna Charlesworth; vase by Ella Reweti.

adore home

G I R L ’ S E N S U I T E Tiles from Academy Tiles; tapware from ABI Interiors; wall lights from Dowel Jones; custom-made mirror from Mynd Interiors.

shecreatesco.com

@shecreates.co adore home

HOME TOUR

G U E S T B E D R O O M Striped linen quilt cover, pillows, side table and custom-made bedhead from Mynd Interiors; cushions from Bonnie and Neil; throw from Adairs; original artwork by Tegan Lloyd.

R E A D I N G N O O K Side table, book and custom armchair from Mynd Interiors; cushion from Bonnie and Neil.

adore home

B A T H R O O M ???????

“It’s always safe to create a stable neutral base in either hard finishes or main furniture items, however if executed thoughtfully and with restraint, decorating in colour can really create some ‘wow’ areas in your home.” - S A R A H M U S TO N

G I R L ’ S B E D R O O M Custom-made bench seat, quilt cover, pillowcases and cushion from Mynd Interiors; wall sconce from Nightworks Studio; artwork by Prudence DeMarchi. adore home

HOME TOUR B A T H R O O M Basins from Nood Co; tiles from Academy Tiles; tapware from ABI Interiors; handles from Lo & Co; wall lights from RBW.

adore home

COLOUR PALETTE

HOME TOUR

SHOP THE LOOK

BEDSIDE TABLE GlobeWest ‘Artie Wave’ bedside table in powder blue $845 myndinteriors.com / QUILT COVER Kip&Co ‘Apricot Ice’ queen linen quilt cover $269.95 myndinteriors.com / STOOL Design By Them ‘Bobby’ metal bar stool $625 designbythem.com / CARAFE Maison Balzac J’ai Soif’ carafe and tumbler in teal $89 davidjones.com ART ‘Last Orchid’ original artwork by Natalie Jane framed on canvas $599.95 myndinteriors.com / FAUX FLOWERS Hydrangea with leaves stem in blue $44.95 myndinteriors.com TAPWARE ABI Interiors ‘Elysian’ minimal mixer and spout set in white $209.80 abiinteriors.com.au / BASIN Nood Co ‘Pill’ basin surface mount in powder blue $730 noodco.com.au RUG ‘Skagen’ rug in silver from $1,009 myndinteriors.com / BENCH SEAT Custom form bench queen in pinky peach $1,270 myndinteriors.com / CUSHION Bonnie and Neil woven stripe buff cushion $200 bonnieandneil.com.au adore home

K I T C H E N Polytec ‘Florentine Walnut’ was selected for the kitchen cabinetry and paired with walnut handles from Kethy. Kitchen cabinetry by M & J Cabinets; bar stools from Life Interiors; pendant lights from Litfad; tap from Builders World; Verde Cotto granite bench tops and splash back from Fine Stone Granite & Marble; floor tiles from Burleigh Tiles.

HOME TOUR

house

ALLAMBI Calming earthy green is the signature hue in this stunning mid-century modern home on the Gold Coast, lovingly brought to life by husband-and-wife team Eddie and Perri Beith.

PHOTOGRAPHY KRISTIAN VAN DER BEEK / WORDS REBECCA JAMIESON DWYER

DESIGN RENOVATING MATES / BUILD BUILD BEITH BUILDING AND DEVELOPMENTS

ESCAPE TO

Mallorca

This covetable Spanish holiday retreat combines understated style with a dreamy location.

PHOTOGRAPHY GREG COX/BUREAUX / WORDS ROBYN ALEXANDER / PRODUCTION SVEN ALBERDING

HOME TOUR S U N K E N L O U N G E R O O M The green sofa was custom made by Beith Building & Developments and Gold Coast Upholstery. Coffee table from En Gold; sheer curtains from Qld Blinds and Shutters.

adore home

HOME TOUR

Beige and white checkerboard floor tiles. Verde Cotto granite kitchen benchtops. A sunken lounge set against a limestone feature wall. A greentiled bathroom, complete with a fully tiled bath. Wherever you look in Allambi House, there’s another pitch-perfect feature designed to impress and delight. Embracing the challenge of a dated brick house on an awkwardly shaped 597m2 block, builder Eddie and design consultant Perri have created a magical mid-century modern-inspired haven, complete with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an abundance of colour, texture and character. Perri’s favourite part of the Broadbeach Waters home is the sunken lounge – something she was determined to include from the get-go. “Sunken lounges became huge in the ’70s and were known as the ‘conversation pit’. Not only is it a great place to snuggle and watch TV, but it’s the perfect place to drink a glass of bubbles with friends,” she says. The open-plan kitchen, with its custom woodgrain cabinetry, integrated appliances and magnificent slabs of granite, is the heart of the home. It flows out to a landscaped alfresco area with a

pizza oven, lush gardens, and a curved pool with elevated spa nestled into the side of the building. “The L-shape of the house frames the backyard for privacy and makes for incredible views as you walk down the hallway,” Perri says. “It’s been built to perfectly fit the block and maximise the space.” While the creative use of green creates a peaceful ambience within the main areas of Allambi House, other rooms pop with varied colour palettes, including terracotta for a guest bedroom, mustard for the laundry, and brown gingham for another guest bedroom. “As a perfectionist, I found this tricky, but I’m so glad I trusted my instincts,” Perri says. “It feels exciting walking into each room.” In less skilful hands the colour scheme could have felt chaotic, but at Allambi House it’s beautifully cohesive, thanks to some savvy design choices. “We repeated the cabinetry, wall paint and floor tile colours throughout the home,” Perri explains. “That’s the benefit of choosing a neutral option for your main finishes; you can then play with adding colours and it still flows. I also believe that having those matching main finishes creates a very luxurious feel.” >

HOME TOUR

adore home

“When selecting styling pieces, find various textured items in the same colour to add a unique point of difference – and don’t be scared to randomly pop a completely different colour item in the mix.”

B A T H R O O M Tapware from Builders World; tiles from Tile Lane; vanity by M & J Cabinets; mirror from Matt Blatt.

- PE R R I B E I T H

adore home

HOME TOUR

at a glance

ALLAMBI HOUSE This stunning Gold Coast home epitomises mid-century modern design – complete with a sunken lounge with shag carpet, and bold colour at every turn.

597m2

adore home

P O O L + S P A “I love the quirky green and white tiles surrounding our pool and spa,” says Perri. “We love jumping in the spa at the end of the day and enjoying the beautiful garden built up around it while we look at the house. It’s so relaxing and it feels like you’re escaping the hustle and bustle of the Gold Coast for a moment.”

HOME TOUR

Perri’s

COLOUR TIPS A NEUTRAL BASE “Opt for a neutral base colour for the main selections, such as wall colour, cabinetry, floor tiles, tapware and hardware repeated throughout the home. This will provide you with a blank canvas to incorporate coloured features, while the home still feels cohesive.”

FOCAL COLOUR “Choose a focal colour for each room and base the highlights of the room around it. I would often choose this colour after falling in love with a certain product and wanting to find a way to fit it into the home. For example, I told my stone supplier I was after a bright, detailed piece of stone, and he showed me a piece of Diana Rose marble that I fell in love with. I based the guest bedroom and ensuite (pictured opposite) off this colour palette.”

C O M P L E M E N TA RY COLOURS “Select colours that complement each other. In our media room, I chose a mustard colour palette as I knew this would work well with the green selections in the rest of the house.”

COLOURED FURNITURE “If you’re scared about playing with colour, opt for some coloured furniture or styling pieces, because they aren’t permanent. We kept our bedrooms very neutral and played with colours only in the styling. That way, future owners can put their own personality into the home.”

adore home

Impressively, this is the duo’s 18th renovation project, and they’ve relished deviating from their usual neutral style and getting out of their comfort zone. “We love everything about this build,” Perri enthuses. “It’s only after years of renovating that we can finally say we’re happy with the outcome of the entire project!” Allambi House has recently sold, but Eddie and Perri are already dreaming up their next renovation: “We’re always exploring and drawing inspiration from different places, but we’ve fallen in love with this style so might try another take on it. Whatever’s next, we can’t wait to share it.”

beithbuilding.com.au @renovatingmates

COLOUR PALETTE

HOME TOUR

SHOP THE LOOK

CHAIR LaForma ‘Isabellini’ chair $219 lagrand.com.au / TILE Manhattan Avocado subway tile (75 x 150mm) $79/m2 tilelane.com.au / ART The Poster Club ‘Serene Stripes’ by Hanna Peterson from $146 lifeinteriors.com.au / TOWEL HAY ‘Check’ bath towel in matcha $150 hayshop.com.au / SIDE TABLE Bonnie & Neil terracotta side table $395 lifeinteriors.com.au / QUILT COVER Città ‘Toast’ linen duvet cover from $299 cittadesign.com / LAMINATE Polytec ‘Florentine Walnut’ polytec.com.au / VASE Urban Road ‘Verona’ green glass vessel $39.95 urbanroad.com.au / CUSHION Life x Bonnie & Neil ‘Ocean Swell’ cushion $155 lifeinteriors.com.au / COFFEE TABLE En Gold ‘Miro’ coffee table in Moreno $2,190 engold.com.au / BAR STOOL Life Interiors ‘Belmont’ velvet bar stool in olive $299 lifeinteriors.com.au 64

adore home

HAR

RDWARECONCEPTS.COM.AU

O V E R S I Z E D A R T | P R E M I U M + A B O R I G I N A L A R T | W A L L PA P E R | F U R N I T U R E | H O M E W A R E S

URBANROAD.COM.AU

HARDWARECONCEPTS.COM.AU

H A R D WARECONCEPTS.CO

KITCHEN TRENDS

se rvi

ABOUT

rn mo r

AUSTRALIAN-MADE BESPOKE FURNITURE The Cullin Design specialises in creating custom-made furniture for clients across Australia and New Zealand. Shop from our ready-made designs, or create your own unique piece from scratch. Arrange your complimentary fabric samples via our website today, or visit our showroom located on the Mornington Peninsula to choose your fabrics personally, or hire our beautifully styled studio for content creation and photography.

THECULLINDESIGN

ASKUS@THECULLINDESIGN.COM.AU

ARTWORK KIRSTEN JACKSON / PHOTOGRAPHY KATE ENNO / STYLING TESS DIMITRIOU & SHEREE CULLIN

HOME TOUR

the villas Awash with natural light, this dual accommodation on the Gold Coast mixes calming pastels with energetic pops of sorbet-flavoured colour.

PHOTOGRAPHY COAST PARK CREATIVE / WORDS CASEY HUTTON BUILD SB BUILD AND CONSTRUCT / STYLING SARAH WATERS

adore home

upstairs villa

at a glance

THE VILLAS BY B IL IN GA B E ACH ABO DES Located in Bilinga on the Gold Coast, this double-storey house contains two separate villas, each with their own plunge pool.

168m2

U P S T A I R S L I V I N G R O O M Sofas, armchair and coffee table from Sarah Ellison; art print from The Print Emporium; rug from Miss Amara; side table from P&R Styling; wall panelling from Easycraft; sheer curtains by A Curtains & Blinds. 68

adore home

HOME TOUR

S T A I R C A S E A spiral staircase leads up to the loft bedroom. Staircase rendered by No Waves Render Co.; treads tiled in leftover bathroom tiles from Jatana Interiors; pendant lights from SØKTAS.

“The staircase was a risk because it took up space, but we turned it into a feature.”

THIS IMAGE BY THE CONTENT CO.

- S A R A H WAT E R S

Back in 2020, Sarah and Aaron Waters fell in love with an idiosyncratic 1960s building in Bilinga on Queensland’s Gold Coast. “From the outside, you’d think that it was just a standalone house, but on the inside it was two three-bedroom units layered on top of each other,” Aaron explains. “At first, we didn’t know what to call them. Were they units or were they a duplex?”

and crooked walls along the way. “We are so

They dubbed them ‘The Villas’, and embarked on a detailed two-year renovation where both apartments were retained but completely reworked.

the building with natural light was crucial to

Sarah, who owns baby bedding and accessories business Bubbles Lane, and Aaron (aka Aza), co-founder and Head of Operations at Balter Brewing, have a penchant for renovating 1960s homes. Back in 2008, they transformed a dowdy ’60s beach shack into ‘Bilinga Beach Abode’, a stylish Palm Springs-inspired haven that they now live in with their three children.

without compromising on privacy.

This time round, they worked within the building’s existing footprint, removing asbestos

bathroom added another pop of colour against

proud that we kept as much as possible of the original building,” says Aza. “Let’s just say we threw it in the washing machine and then put it through the dryer and gave it an iron.” The completed reno is a knockout, owing largely to its joyful and ambitious use of colour, pattern, and texture. Aza explains that flooding making those interior elements sing; they lifted the original roof to accommodate soaring raked ceilings and admitted as much light as possible

Their biggest design gamble became their favourite feature: a dramatic helical staircase leading to a new loft in the upstairs villa. “We wanted it to be a work of art,” Sarah says of the staircase, which is rendered in Venetian plaster with a luxurious ‘Oyster’ finish. “Tiling the rise of the stairs with some leftover tiles from our our sage-green kitchen.”

> adore home

HOME TOUR

Sarah’s

U P S T A I R S K I T C H E N “I just love green in a kitchen and have wanted to use it for a while now,” says Sarah. “I think it adds a great pop of colour that is still neutral and goes with pretty much every colour. It’s a nice, calming colour and makes you want to be in the kitchen.”

COLOUR TIPS LESS IS MORE “When it comes to walls and floors, try not to have more than three colours (aside from white) in one space.”

KEEP IT LIGHT “Avoid dark or solid colours. Pick softer but vibrant colours and complement them with the detail of fixtures, art, or lighting. It’s not just about a feature wall anymore!”

DON’T BE SCARED “Some people avoid colour because they’re worried it might date – but be mindful that neutrals can date as well. If you’re nervous, changing up cushions on the lounge or bed is a simple, costeffective way to add a pop of colour.”

T RY B E FO R E YO U B U Y “Colours change in sunlight, shade, or even water, so gather as many samples as you can and test them. We tested multiple Jatana Interiors tiles underwater to see if they would change colour in our pools.”

BEFORE

L I V I N G R O O M B E F O R E Sarah and Aza flipped the layout of this space, formerly a bedroom, and turned it into a living room. They popped the roof to heighten the overall ceilings and added large windows to let in natural light.

adore home

BEFORE

T H E F A C A D E “We pretty much kept the outside skeleton structure and removed all of the asbestos,” explains Aza. “We had some fun moments with Scotty, our builder – some walls went missing because they weren’t straight! There were probably stages we could have just pushed it over, but we just kept moving forward with it.” Their persistence paid off; the house now has beautiful street appeal, with its crisp white weatherboards, breeze block details and ‘Cracken Oak’ limestone from Neo Rox. Landscaping by JSW Landscapes & Design.

adore home

HOME TOUR

U P S TA I R S G U E S T R O O M Wall panelling from Easycraft; art print by Brigitte May; linen from I Love Linen; cushions from Moroccan Textile Co. and Pillow Talk; throw from Adairs.

adore home

U P S TA I R S E N S U I T E Tiles from Jatana Interiors; tapware from Meir; towels from Kip&Co; vanity from Poppy’s Little Treasures.

U P S T A I R S M A I N B E D R O O M Wall lights from SØKTAS; bedside table from Adairs; wall panelling from Easycraft; art print from Inka Arthouse; linen from Kip&Co.

adore home

HOME TOUR

Throughout The Villas, contemporary furnishings with a retro flavour pay homage to its iconic coastal location, while the bold use of convex panelling from Easycraft’s ‘Silhouette’ range puts a modern spin on classic beachy VJs. “We wanted to veer away from the standard gyprock finish,” Aza explains. “The folks at Easycraft assumed we were thinking of just a feature wall here or there, but once we told them the quantity we were chasing they nearly fell off their chairs!” he chuckles. “Amazingly, Easycraft recycled 100 percent of offcuts from our project back into making new products.”

The Villas’ two plunge pools (one pink and one mustard) pack a punch and are perfect for cooling down on balmy days. Sarah recounts how they were let down by the pool excavator the day before the formwork was due to start. Rather than lose their place in the construction queue, Aza chose to dig the holes himself! After six hours of digging alongside their plumber, four

adore home

of Aza’s staff from Balter arrived with shovels to help. “We started in the morning and finished at night. It was such a challenging day, but we did it and will be forever grateful.” The “extreme DIY” pool dig is one of The Villas’ many memorable stories. Renovating during the pandemic was tough and slow at times, but – working with their builder and long-time friend Scott Benstead of SB Build and Construct – Aza and Sarah stayed the course. When border closures between Queensland and NSW caused travel havoc for tradies, the couple even rented an Airbnb for their painter so he could stay in Queensland and carry on with their project. “The vision was there, and we knew where we wanted to finish,” Sarah reflects. “We just had to be patient.”

@thevillas_bilinga_beach_abodes

L O F T B E D R O O M “Our fave feature would have to be the loft we built in the upper villa,” says Aza. The bedroom is adorned in mustard and peach tones – Sarah’s favourite colour combination. Wall lights from SØKTAS; bedside table from Adairs; coffee table from P&R Styling; wall panelling from Easycraft; artworks by Bree Cole; cushions from Moroccan Textile Co.

adore home

HOME TOUR

BEFORE

adore home

downstairs villa D OW N S TA I R S L I V I N G/D I N I N G This space overlooks the plunge pool. Dining table and stools from Estilo Studio; wall panelling from Easycraft.

O U T D O O R S P A C E Umbrella from Business & Pleasure Co.; pool tiles from Jatana Interiors; outdoor lounge chairs from Outdoor Furniture Ideas.

adore home

HOME TOUR

adore home

D OW N S TA I R S G U E S T B E D R O O M Wall lights from SØKTAS; bedside table from Hello Trader; rug from Spotlight; arch bed head from Kmart; wall panelling from Easycraft; art above bed by Adele Naidoo; art outside of the bedroom (pictured opposite page) by Jai Vasicek.

D OW N S TA I R S BAT H RO O M (Pictured opposite bottom right) Pendant light from POT Studios; tiles from Jatana Interiors; tapware from Meir; vanity from Poppy’s Little Treasures; mirror from Temple & Webster.

adore home

HOME TOUR D O W N S T A I R S K I T C H E N “I was a bit nervous about this colour in the kitchen, but since it’s one of our fave colours I really wanted to add it in,” Sarah recalls. “This downstairs villa doesn’t get as much natural light as upstairs. The peach colour makes that whole corner look a bit brighter and I love it. It’s my favourite kitchen out of the two!”

adore home

COLOUR PALETTE

HOME TOUR

SHOP THE LOOK

UMBRELLA The Business Pleasure Co ‘The Holiday’ beach umbrella in vintage gold $199.99 businessandpleasureco.com.au / CUSHION Kip&Co terracotta velvet pea cushion $79 kipandco.com.au / PANELS Easycraft ‘Convex 18’ wall panelling P.O.A easycraft.com.au / TILES ‘Monaco’ reproduction encaustic tile (made to order) jatanainteriors.com.au ENTRY DOOR Loughlin Furniture ‘Sawtell’ shiplap vertical entry door from $4,048 loughlinfurniture.com.au / ART PRINT ‘Flower Market’ by Henri Matisse from $50 inkaarthouse.com / RUG Miss Amara ‘Marissa’ washable rug from $190 missamara.com.au / QUILT COVER I Love Linen quilt cover in daisy from $220 ilovelinen.com.au / COFFEE TABLE Sarah Ellison ‘Paloma’ coffee table $1,599 lifeinteriors.com.au / PAINT Tint ‘Dawn Patrol’ wall paint $109 for 4L tintpaint.com.au / SIDE TABLE Adairs ‘Mostar’ white side table $299.99 adairs.com.au adore home

RETRO ROAD TRIP

Rerotarod trip 82

adore home

Craving a road trip adventure? We check into six retro stays, each renovated with a distinct nostalgic twist.

STAY

PHOTOGRAPHY RED BERRY PHOTOGRAPHY

THE BERRY VIEW MOTEL B E R R Y, N S W Located in the heart of Berry on the NSW South Coast, The Berry View Motel is a mid-century modern gem, featuring 13 individually styled rooms. Inspired by Palm Springs, the motel pays homage to its original 1950s architecture. With its spicy-coloured doors and warm ochre-toned interiors, you’ll feel like you’ve checked into a Slim Aarons photograph of a bygone era. Each room features queen-sized beds with crisp linens, ensuites with full-size O&M bathing products, air conditioning, Wi-Fi and TVs. Looking out across lush green vistas, the motel is perfectly positioned and in close reach of eateries and an eclectic array of retail shops.

theberryview.com.au

@theberryview

adore home

STAY

RIVER DRIVE MOTEL S O U T H G I P P S L A N D, V I C

Business and life partners Kate Hannaford and Dic Coates (along with Dic’s brother and wife) spent over a year lovingly restoring the motel and delivering a unique take on Australian nostalgia. The creative couple – who also own and run Melbourne-based event and design agency Moth Design – worked with the wider Moth Design team to make this motel a must-add to your travel bucket list.

riverdrivemotel.com.au @riverdrivemotel

adore home

PHOTOGRAPHY ALBERT COMPER

Tucked alongside the tranquil Tarwin River in the heart of South Gippsland, River Drive Motel pays homage to the natural landscape with its earthy colour palette. You’ll find five self-contained rooms, each equipped with all the essentials you need for an enjoyable stay.

Emerald

Woods

AUTUMN/WINTER 23

sanctuarystudio.com.au

STAY

SUNNYMEAD HOTEL A I R E Y S I N L E T, V I C Drive along Victoria’s iconic Great Ocean Road and you’ll find Sunnymead Hotel, which has been given a glow up by Facet Design. Previously Lightkeepers Inn Motel, this boutique property has been treated to a retro-inspired revival, complete with breeze blocks and a colourful interior fitout. Lounge poolside to soak up the vacay vibes or warm yourself by the firepit at night. Feeling hungry? The hotel’s onsite restaurant, Santara, serves up Indian-inspired dishes designed for sharing and grazing. Up for a bit of pampering? Book into the onsite day spa, Indie Spa, which features a Rasul and bathhouse and was brought to life by the interior design team at award-winning architects Cera Stribley.

sunnymeadhotel.com.au @sunnymeadhotel

adore home

RETRO ROAD TRIP

SURFSIDE MOTEL Y E P O O N, Q L D Surfside Motel is one of the last original motels in the beautiful coastal community of Yeppoon. Built in the late 1950s, it still has that old beachside holiday charm, thanks to its crisp white weatherboards, retro breezeblock fence, guest laundry, and tropical outdoor pool area. Owners Trevor and Kylie Thomasson refurbished the place with the aim of retaining its vintage motel vibe. All rooms have the modern conveniences of a kitchenette, air-con, super-fast Wi-Fi, and comfy beds. Centrally located on Yeppoon’s promenade, Surfside is 50 metres from the beach and 300 metres from the Yeppoon Lagoon. Be sure to check into this motel on your next Queensland road trip adventure – and leave space in your itinerary for a ferry trip to Great Keppel Island.

yeppoonsurfsidemotel.com.au @surfside_motel

KYNETON SPRINGS MOTEL K Y N E T O N, V I C The Kyneton Springs Motel is a bold accommodation option, with its retro neon sign and kitschy-cool rooms. While its aesthetic leans towards classic Palm Springs design, the experience is a nod to the great Australian road trip. The motel has 20 individually curated suites, each offering all the comforts a modern traveller needs (like speedy Wi-Fi, access to streaming services, and highquality bedding and bathroom products). Kick back in the pastel-hued shade of The Patio with a cocktail, grab a bite from the old-school menu at Cathie’s Kiosk or check out the gift shop for some sweet mementos of your stay. Aside from its super-cool design, the Kyneton Springs Motel is also an affordable and accessible space for travellers.

kynetonspringsmotel.com @kynetonspringsmotel

STAY BLUEWTER MOTEL K I N G S C L I F F, N S W F F, N S W The Blue Water Motel, reimagined by designer Jason Grant, takes its cue from the cool and relaxed coastal vibe of Kingscliff. Behind the charming powder-blue facade lies 17 newly renovated rooms. All rooms include luxury Malin+Goetz toiletries, a dedicated workstation, airconditioning, tea and coffee making facilities, large smart TVs and more.

Located just steps from Kingscliff beach, Bluewater Motel features a saltwater swimming pool, a 24/7 kitchen, alfresco common areas, bike hire and onsite parking.

thebluewatermotel.com.au @bluewatermotel_

adore home

PHOTOGRAPHY JESSIE PRINCE / INTERIOR DESIGN AND STYLING JASON GRANT

A four-bedroom beach house next door is also available to book. Jason Grant has worked his magic on this spacious mid-century gem too, and the result is a charming retrocoastal holiday home.

Available through interior designers, decorators and selected stockists.

1/5 Cairns St, Loganholme Qld / 07 3806 5370

www.xavierfurniture.com.au

Live chat with us! www.lifeinteriors.com.au sales@lifeinteriors.com.au

505 Balmain Rd Lilyfield, NSW, 2040 P: 1300 873 595

336 - 338 Johnston St Abbotsford, VIC, 3067 P: 1300 873 595